Metal awning



July 27, 1937. W. scHucK 2,088,349

METAL AWNING Filed May 11, 1955 3 Sheetsv-S'neet l ,1f 43 (fs. y

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gig. V /V/ T INVENTOR f WAL TER scHuc/r .BY @xm/mgm! ATTORN EYS W.SCHUCK METAL AWNING July 27, 1937,

Filed May ll, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS AEV/WMU Vv. scHUcK METALAWNING July 27,' 1937.

3 Sheets-Shed; 3

Filed May 1l, 1935 INVENTOR WALTER 'CHUC// ATTORNEYS construction,

Patented July 27, 1937 PATENT OFFICE ltIETAL AWNING Walter Schuck,Cedarhurst, N. Y. I

Application May. 11,

6 Claims.

This invent/ion relates to metal awnings and has for its object certainimprovements in the construction of metal awnings. The invention relatesmore particularly to improvements in the construction of sheet metalawnings.

Although metal awnings have heretofore been proposed, they have hadlittle or no commercial use. This is, of course, due in part to the factthat it costs more to make metal awnings than the conventional clothawnings. While the cost of metal is greater than that of the cloth,fabricating costs are also involved. A metal awning is proposed inUnited States Patent 1,030,493. Its however, is so involved that it hasprobably never had any commercial application. Another metal awning isproposed in United States Patent 1,795,521, the construction of 'whichis somewhat simpler. In both awnings, a series.

of horizontal sheet metal strips, including a curtain, are hinged andadapted t be folded against one another.

The present invention is concerned with improvements that simplify theconstruction of metal awnings, while at the same time making themrugged. They may be easily operated. In accordance with the invention,the bottom p0rtion o! the awning is so constructed-as to addconsiderable rigidity to the whole structure. A special this purpose.The awning curtain is doubly hinged along its upper portion with the..crossbar andfthe lower horizontal sheet metal cross strip, so as to tendto lock 40 a plurality of intermediate horizontal metal strips,preferably of substantially uniform width, which are so hinged that theyoverlap in the same position when the awning is closed. This overlappingis soarranged. that the metal strips 4s always fold relatively to oneanother in a predetermined Y direction.

-In a preferred practice, a pair of opposed pintles is provided inselected joints of the horizontal metal strips. These pintles areprovided 50 with a ring at their exterior ends to support an awningcord. The pintles may be withdrawn to break the awning into smallerunits for packing and shipment. They may be readily reinserted in theirhinges for assembly and installation of 55 theawnins.

cross-bar construction is employed forv the curtain and thev lower metalstrip when the awning is in its 35 open" or down position.

1935,'Serial No. 20,911

The invention also contemplates an improved canopy construction. Itfunctions not only as a canopy torcover the awning when in its closedposition, but also as a means for supporting the awningr against awindow frame or the like.

The canopy also shelters and supports a pulley housing arrangement thatis highly useful and oers an improvement in the operation oi.' awnings.Each housing is provided with a pair oi' pulleys specially `positionedto accommodate an awning cord and to insure easy running of the same.

These and other advantages of the invention will be better understood byreferring to the accompanying drawings, and the following description,in which: 1

Fig. 1 is a side elevation in section of a metal awning illustrative ofthe invention, shown in its open position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing adetail oi the construction of the awning at one of its-lower corners; a

` Fig.v 3 is aifragmental section on the linen 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing adetail of the double hinge construction of the awning curtain;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary and eriarged detail in section on the line 4-4of Fig. 2, showing the double hinge construction o! the awning curtainin conjunction with the cross-bar and gusset construction in one of thelower corners o! the awning;V

`Figf is another enlarged fragmentary detail in section on the line 5 5of Fig. 2, showing the d ouble hinge construction of the curtain inconjunction with the cross-bar;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation in section of theawning in its closed position;

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary detail in section on the Vline 1-1 of Fig. 6,showing the left hand pulley housing and canopy holding means;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the pulley housing and canopy holdingmeans shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the canopy holding means shownparticularly in Figs. 6, 7 and 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the awning in its closed position, withfragments broken away to disclose the pulley housings and canopy holdinglap, which strengthens the curtain. It is clear that the curtain andstrips maybe treated to show any desired design for ornamental purposes.The awning is provided on each side with a side 5 arm I3 attached to awindow frame I9, or the like, by means of a clevis 20. 'Ihe far end ofthe side arms terminates in side rod ends 2|, such 'as ornamental spearheads. Running flexible cores 22 extend from the inner ends of the spearl0 heads across ythe horizontal sheet metal strips to pulley housings 23located directly underneath a canopy 24 at the upper end of the awning.

The side arm I3 is preferably made of metal tubing, the end fastened tothe window casing being screwed into a side rod end 2l that is pivotallyconnected to the clevis by means of a clevis screw 26. 'Ihe other end ofthe side arm I3 is provided with internal screw threads adapted toreceive the indented end of a side rod stud 2l.

l The diameters of the stud and side arm are the same. 'The other end ofthe side rod stud is threaded to receive the spear head. The side rodstud may thus be regarded as an extension of the side arm itself.

.25 4 'I'he side arms I3 are spaced a predetermined distance by means ofa spaceror crossbar 2l. A sheet metal gusset plate 23 connects each endof the spacer-bar with the remote end of the side arm I3 and its sidearm stud 2I. The gusset 80 plate is riveted along one: side thereof tothe spacer-bar. f The outer edge portion of the gusset plate is bentover itself, as shown in Fig. 2,

to form a hollow interior` or cylindrical side adapted to receive theremote end of the side 3.5 arm I3 and its side rod stud 21. Ihe bentover edge portion of the gusset plate is riveted or otherwise attachedto itself, such as by spot welding. 'I'he side rod stud 21 ispermanently fastened on the inside of the cylindrical side 3U.

l such as by rivets 3l vextending completely through the side walls ofthe cylindrical portion and the stud. Means, such as a hole 32, areprovided near the remote end of the cylindrical portion oi' the gussetplate for attaching the running ilex- 5 `ible cord 22. The hypotenuseedge 33 of the gusset plate is advantageously bent over itself in Vorderto stiilen the gusset plate.

A spacer-bar hinge section 34 (Figs. 4 and 5), preferably constructed ofthin sheet metal, is ato tached to the under side ofthe spacer-bar 23.such as by means of rivets' or spot welding. A so-called piano" hinge'is formed by means of notched portions of the sheet metal extendingbeyondthe far side of the spacer-bar and turned 55 over into the form ofsmall cylindrical sections to form pintle eyelets 35. A curtainsecondary hinge section 3i is attached to the curtain i I, such as byrivets or spot welding.` directing below the spacer-bar 2i.. Thesecondary hinge section 36 so ls provided with notched side portionsbent around into small cylindrical sections to form pintle eyelets3I;-so alternated as to be in alignment with the pintle eyelets 35 ofthe spacer-bar hinge sections. A pintle 33. in the form of a round bares er metal, extends completely through the aligned pintle eyelets. Theends of the pintle preferably terminate with the side edges of thecurtain il. The upper portion 33 of the curtain extends an appropriatedistance above and over the 70 spacer-bar 23 and the pintle 3. 'I'hisupper .por-

tion of the curtain is advantageously bent in or indented to form arounded shoulder 43, protruding over the hinge forming around the pintle33. The upper portion of the curtain is bent around along itslongitudinal edge in notched sections to form pintle eyelets 4I.

'I'he lower sheet metal strip I2 has its lower longitudinal portion 42bent in the form of an obtuse angle 43. This lower longitudinal portionl is in turn bent back over itself in'the form of an under lap 44, theupper edge portion 4l oi' which is bent to conform to theobtuse angle43. This upper edge portion is notched in spaced sections, the notchedsections being bent around to 1I form pintle eyelets 46 adapted to bealigned with the pintle eyelets 4I of the curtain II. A pintle 4lextends completely through the aligned pintle eyelets, to form anotherpiano hinge that may Y be regarded as a curtain primary hinge. In the l5construction shown, the curtain primary hinge is stationed directlyabove the curtain secondary ,hinge and above theobtuse angle 43. 'Ihelower longitudinal portion 42 of the metal strip I2, together with itsunderlap 44, leans against the 20 outside of the curtain II along itsupper longitudinal portion, and thus operates as an effective stop tomovement of the curtain. In other words, the construction shown tendsmore or i less to lock the curtain II and the lower sheet metal 25 stripi2 when the awning is in its open position, conforming to the obtuseangle 43. 'I'he size of the obtuse angle is fixed so that the curtainhangs vertically when the awning is down, and the lower metal strip i2has a slant conforming substan- 30 tlally to that of the other metalstrips. Lower sheet metal strip I2 is pivotally attached to theintermediate sheet metal strip I3 by means of a piano hinge 48. 'Iheupper longitudinal portion of metal sheet I2 is provided with an in- 3.5

dented shoulder portion 49 bent back over itself in an overlap to form adouble thickness of sheet metal. The lower edge of the overlap isnotched ln sections, which are bent'around into pintle eyelets. Theeyelets in turn fit at least in part 4o within the indented shoulderportion of the metal strip i2. The lower longitudinal edge portion oflintermediate metal sheet I3 is also notched and bentaround into pintleeyelets, which are aligned with those of sheet I2. A pintle extendscompletely through the aligned eyelets. 'I'he indented shoulder portion49 of the metal sheet I2 extends an appropriate distance under the lowerportion of the intermediate metal sheet I3.' to assist in locking thetwo adjacent metal sheets so along their joint when the awning is (downand thus cause the two sheets always to fold toward one another in thesame pre-arranged direction. In the case of sheets I2 and I3, theirouter lurfaces will always adioin one another when the awning is closed.'I'he indented shoulder portion 49 effectively prevents the two metalsheets from folding in the opposite direction.

A similar form of piano hinge construction is provided betweenintermediate horizontal metal strips I4 and I5, as well as betweenintermediate metal strip I6 and upper metal strip I1.

Intermediate metal strips I3 and I4 are like# wise joined by means of apiano hinge 53. In this case the upper edge of metal sheet I3 is notched35 and the sections thereof are bent around into pintle eyelets. Sheetmetal strip has its lower portion 5I bent back under itself to form adouble bend, the upper edge of the underlap be- Y ing notched and thesections thereof are bent around into pintle eyelets, which are alignedwith the pintle eyelets of sheet metal strip I3. Two pintles 52 arefitted into these eyelets from opposite directions, each pintleextending halfway across the metal strips. Each pintle is provided backwall I1 of the canopy is aoeasso Intermediate metal strips i5 and Il arejoined' in a similar manner, two opposed pintles, likewise, being used,so that the awning cord may be supported through the outer rings of thepintles.

tage that they may be pulled out of their pintie eyelets, and theadjacent metal strips may then be disconnected, so that the awning maybe broken into smaller units for packing into a relatively small .spacefor convenient shipping.

At the same time this pintle construction permits easy assembly of theunits when the awning is to be installed. Since the awning cords aredrawn tautly, the pintle halves will stay in position.

It will be noted that the hinges are alternatively disposed with respectto their return-bend portions. 'Ihis construction insures a semi-rigidarrangement of the metal strips. and causes the strips always to fold inthe same predetermined direction.

The canopy 24 serves a'four-fold function. In addition to acting as acover to the awning when closed, it accommodates a pulley housingholding means 54 for attaching the awning to a window frame, or similarsupport, and a hinge l5 to connect with the upper metal strip I1.

The canopy comprises a bent over roof portion 5t adaptedto cover theawning when in its closed position. The outer edge of the roof ispreferably beaded to give added rigidity. The l with the bent over roofportion. In the construction shown, the roof portion of the canopycovers a left hand pulley housing at one end, and a right hand pulleyhousing at the other end. The pulley housing consists of an outer metalcasing Il in which are located an upper pulley Il and a lower pulley 60.The nrst pulley is located close to the roof, and to the front of thecanopy, preferably clear of the side edges of the metal strips, and isattached to the housing by means of a rivet. This pulley is aligned toaccommodate the exible cord 22 extending through the pintles. A portionof the metal housing is cut away. as shown, so-that the cord may havefree and unimpeded access to the pulley. The second pulley is located atthe rear of the metal housing,

at a right angle to the first pulley. This pulley is located at aconvenient level below the nrst pulley so that the awning cord may bedrawn across the top of the first pulley and underneath the secondpulley,-in the case of the left hand pulley housing.

The right hand pulley housing is constructed in substantially the samemanner, except that the pulleys are oppositely arranged. In the case ofthe right hand housing, the awning cord from the left hand housingextends across the top of the second or lower pulley in the right handpulley housing. 'Ihe awning cordon the right hand side of the awningpasses over the nrst or upper pulley Vof the right hand housing. Bothcords drop vertically alongside of one another,- and are jointly pulledor released to operate the awning.

In the case of both pulley housings, in the con struction shown, a bentover shoulder portion 6| of the roof of the canopy is riveted to thepulley housing, to keep the housing in position.

These opposed pintles have the advanl The inner end I2 of the pulleyhousing adjacent to the back wall of the canopy is advantageouslyprovided with a slotted hole 63 registering with a similarly slottedhole Si in the back wall of the canopy. adapted to cooperate with theholding means M. The back wall. of the canopy is provided with anindented portion l5, as shown, to accommodate the holding means il, sothat the back wall and the holding means may be substantially flush withthe window casing or other support. y

The holding means comprises a hat faced hold ing stud base adapted toiit within the indented back wall portion i5 of the canopy. The holdingbase is provided with two oountersunk holes to accommodate securingscrews i1.

countersunk bolts or the like, which fit into the window frame or otherawning support employed. One side of the holding base is provided with astud bolt il and a nut". A self-locking nut is preferably employed.

A ring holder 1l is attached to the crossor spacer-bar 28 at itsmidsection. A ring 1i is held by the holder. and carries a `cord 12which y is employed to hold the awning taut when it is in its closedposition, such as by fastening the cord to a window sill in theconventional manner.

In closing the awning, the cords 22 are simultaneously pulled. They'support the hinged, horizontal metal strips'at the pintle rings 52. Asshown, the hinges are so arranged that when l the metal strips arefolded the alternate hinges with pintles i2 are always uppermost (seeFig. 6). The folded part of the awning may be pulledunder the roof ofthe canopy.

when closed or open the awning offers protection against rain and snowin the use of an upper window as a' ventilator. The upper window may forexample be lowered several inches or more.

The awning provides a passageway for the movement of air through thelowered upper window, but keeps out rain or snow. This. arrangement isparticularly desirable with the awning in its closed position.

From the foregoing d ription, it will be seen `that the improvements inthe awning of the invention offer a number of important advantages.

The awning is so constructed that it may be packed in a relativelywrnallspace for shipment: it may be readily assembled and installed. It may betaken down easily. The metal strips are so jointed or hinged that theawning as a whole is substantially noiseless in wind or storm.

I claim: I. In a metal awning, the improvement comprising a canopyprovided with a back wall and an overhanging roof, and a series ofpivotally 'connected horizontal sheet metal strips, the nrst metal stripin the series being pivotally connected to the back wall o f the canopy.

2. A metal awning according to claim L'in which means are associatedwiththe back wall of the canopy for attaching the awning to a window frameor the like including a holding base provided with a bolt, the baseiitting against the outside of the canopy back wall, and the boltextending through an enlarged hole in the canopy back wall.

3. A metal awning according to claim 1, in which means are associatedwith the back wall of the canopy for attaching the awning to a windowframe or the like including a holding base provided with a bolt. thebase fitting within an indented portion of the canopy back wall so thatthebaseandthe'wailareiiusiatheboltextend-1 ing through an enlarged holeinthe canopy back wall. y

4. A metal awning according to claim 1, comprising a left hand and aright hand pulley housing mounted underneath the roof and Vagainst theback wall of the canopy at opposite ends j thereof, the back wall o! thecanopy being provided with an enlarged hole registering with a similarlyenlarged hole in the back wall of each pulley housing adapted to receivean awning holding means. 5. In a metal awning, the improvementcomprising a canopy provided with a back wall and an overhanging rooi',and a pulley housing an awning holding means. said pulley housing beingprovided with an upper and a lower pulley arranged at right angler toone another to accommodate avsingle run:y ng cord.

6. In a metal awning, the improvement comprising a canopy provided witha back wall and an overhanging root, a left hand and a right hand pulleyhousing mounted underneath the roofV and against the back wall oi' thecanopy at opposite ends thereof, the back wall ot the canopy beingprovided with an enlarged hole registering with a similarly enlargedhole in the back wall o! the pulley housing adapted to receive an awningholding means, each pulley housing being provided with an upper and alower pulley arranged st right angles to one another, the lower pulleysbeing disposed parallel and the upper pulleys perpendicular to the backwall o! the canopy. I WAL cx

